Starting an AMSN Chapter Originally presented by the Chapter Development Committee in 2006, updated for 2012

Getting Started Review information on AMSN website under “Chapters” > “Starting a Chapter”  Getting Started Checklist Forms  Resources  Steps to Chapter Formation

 Contact National Office Chapter Liaison Let her know you are interested in starting a chapter and discuss the geographic area the chapter will serve. She can get you a list of AMSN members to contact in your area and provide AMSN recruiting materials.  Contact Chapter Committee Chairperson She may provide additional advice and suggestions for starting up. She may provide the names of other chapter people who may be able to help you. Getting Started

 The National Office will send you a list of AMSN members in your area.  Contact the directors/educators for local med-surg units.  Post flyers about your meetings in local hospitals, schools of nursing, rehab centers.  Consider putting a notice in any free local newspapers and in hospital newsletters.  Post flyers around your community in schools, churches, and stores. Finding Members

Schedule an Organizational Meeting Get everyone excited!  Send an organizational meeting notice to national AMSN members in your zip code area  Identify other colleagues from area hospitals, networking groups, local universities and colleges of nursing  Select meeting location, date, time most convenient to majority.  Consider developing a “theme” to build enthusiasm and excitement and be sure to include refreshments!

 Welcome, introductions  Establish Chapter goals  Elect officers  Set meeting schedule  Prioritize educational activities  Develop budget/ fundraising ideas  Complete and sign New Chapter Profile, Chapter Petition and Dissolution Agreement  Other business (sign up for committee work, update member contact information, etc) Organizational Meeting Agenda

Establishing Chapter Goals  Keep it simple, especially the first year  Some ideas for “beginner” chapters focus on membership recruitment complete educational activity requirements

Examples of Simple Goals  Advocate for the specialty of Med-Surg Nursing and Med-Surg Nursing certification.  Facilitate communication and collaboration among medical-surgical nurses in the area.  Enhance the professional growth of Chapter members and medical-surgical nurses in the area through educational program offerings.  Increase local and national AMSN membership through Chapter activities and program marketing.

Election of Chapter Officers  Consider the following officers: President President-elect (VP) Secretary Treasurer  Read short role descriptions from New Chapter Profile.  Determine how long you want each term to be. It is suggested that your initial officers serve for two years to get your chapter “up and running”.

Election of Chapter Officers  Advance planning can ease awkwardness of voting at organizational meeting and move things along.  Look for officer interest within your core group of organizers.  Develop ballot which includes information about each candidate. Include a position description for each office.  Be sure to leave slots open for write-in candidates.  Send ballot out with the notice for the first organizational meeting.  Allow for additional nominations “from the floor.”

Meeting Considerations  Established chapters need three chapter meetings per year  They may be combined with educational activities - occurring before or after the program  Officers and other leaders will want to hold additional planning meetings  Be sure to take minutes at both membership and leadership planning meetings

Setting a Meeting Schedule  Establish a regular meeting schedule  Consider what will best suit your chapter membership Quarterly meetings which incorporate an educational offering with a business session can improve meeting attendance, especially where chapters cover a geographically large area. Scheduling meetings every month or every other month may be more attractive to established Chapters with more comprehensive goals and activities.

Prioritize Educational Activities Offering educational programs can be a significant benefit for your Chapter  Educational benefit to members  Great way to attract new members  Can be a profitable fundraiser  Give more visibility to your Chapter and AMSN

Educational Program Considerations  Survey membership to assess educational needs and identify priorities.  Consider starting with topics for which you may have the easiest time finding qualified speakers.  Include license renewal topics, especially during the quarter preceding license renewal periods.  Include topics regarding Health Care Reform and the IOM Future of Nursing Report.

Educational Program Considerations  Contact hours are recommended, but not required. Obtaining contact hours can be easier by working with area hospitals or universities with Colleges of Nursing, and will usually guarantee a larger attendance and less effort by co-sponsoring educational programs.  If you rotate meeting sites between several area hospitals, consider selecting a topic which allows the hospital to “showcase” a particular service or product line, such as a cardiovascular program with a tour of their cardiac rehab unit.

Educational Program Considerations  Established Chapters need 4 education activities per year. 4 different days, or 4 sessions in one day for big event, or 2 sessions each on 2 days  Contact hours (CNEs) are not required, but are recommended.

Developing a Chapter Budget  Once you achieve National Chapter status, you will receive $75.00 in seed money from AMSN.  Consider some of the following ideas to ensure a sound Chapter budget: Charge local dues. Most Chapters set annual local dues at $20-25 per year. Charge non-members a fee for attending educational activities Plan fundraising activities

Fundraising Activities  Purpose of Fundraising Activities: Have fun Earn some money for chapter programs, scholarships Get visibility  Ideas for fundraising: Raffles Educational workshops Selling promotional items locally and at the national convention (must be non-competitive to national items)

Committees  While a new Chapter is not required to have committees, most Chapters find them helpful.  S ome committees to consider include: Fundraising Educational planning Refreshments & social activities Service to community Outreach and membership

Completing the Chapter Charter Petition Fill in the blanks which identify the following:  the proposed name of your Chapter  the zip codes, cities/counties you expect to include in your Chapter area; national office can help with zip codes Officers read and sign their acknowledgment and agreement to:  AMSN Bylaws and Policies,  AMSN non-compete and member privacy policy  Plan at least four education activities per year to maintain the Chapter Charter.  Terms for relinquishing Chapter Charter. Officers also sign the Dissolution Agreement.

Completing the New Chapter Profile  Fill in the requested information for your Chapter officers and Committee Chairs.  Have petitioning AMSN members fill in their information and sign at organizing meetings.

The Finishing Touches  Enclose a copy of the minutes from your organizing meetings.  Enclose a copy of your chapter goals, financial, educational and meeting plans (may be in your minutes) …… and you’re on your way !

Building a Successful Chapter  Your core group of founding members are usually the “movers and shakers.” It is easy to get burned out if the same few always take on the majority of the tasks. Develop additional leaders.  Recruiting new members will probably be your most important initial priority.  Offering education programs, combined with good food and Chapter members who know how to “meet and greet’ will help to ensure an increase in your membership base.

Building a Successful Chapter  Sponsor community service projects to gain visibility and market your local Chapter to prospective new members.  Rotate the location of meetings within your area to encourage new members and involvement from all area facilities.  Build a network with other Chapter Presidents and with the Chapter Development Committee. We have all been exactly where you are now and would be pleased to lend a hand!

Building a Successful Chapter  Plan to attend the national convention! This is a perfect way to network with other Chapter members from around the country and pick up some great ideas to take back with you!  Read each issue of the MedSurg Nursing Journal, MedSurg Matters! and the AMSN MedSurg Nursing Connection e-news to keep up with important dates and catch some great ideas from Chapters and National!  Submit your events for listing on the AMSN Website and watch for other Chapters’ events and information! (

Conclusion By now, you should have an idea of how to proceed to start your Chapter. Don’t hesitate to call the National Office or use the Chapter Committee for help and ideas! Have fun!